Machine for operating upon fasteners



A. LATHAM.

. MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON FASTENERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, I919.

' Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

3 SHhETS-SHEET I.

A. LATHAM.

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON FASTENERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. I919- 1,410,560. Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

3 SHEElS-SHEET 2.

I y a 12' A. LATHAM. MACHINE FOR OPERATING =UPON FASTENERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYM, I919- Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

in the conveying means: for:

ALBERT LATHAI/Z', 0F BEVERLY, IviASSACI-IUSETTS, ASSIGNOE TO AIvEEB-ICAN BUTTON & FASTENER (10., OE AUGUSTA, IEAINE, A CORPORATION OE IVIAINE.

- MACHINE FOR OPERATENG UPON FASTENERS.

Application filed May 14,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT LATHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Operating upon Fasteners, of whichthe following description, in connection with the acco1npanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characterson the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for operating upon fasteners, and especially to machines for attaching such fasteners asv buttons to shoes and like objects.

, In its application to machines of the type above mentioned, which act upon fasteners delivered from a holder to an operating mechanism, a feature of. the invention consists in novel means for separating the fasteners from the holder by aninstrumcntality engaging; said fasteners. It is preferable when the fasteners have securing de vices, as staples, assembled with them upon the holder, which holder may be furnished by u. flevible strip, to engage both the fastener and its securing device to effect their separation from the holder. This attains certainty of actionby positive delivery of. the articles in correct time relation.

, If the fasteners'are delivered from their holder to means, as a raceway, which con waste of the fastenersand possible injury'to the delivery means. T avoid such effects by modifying, as another feature of the inven- Q tion. the action of the delivery means in cordance with the condition of the 1 tenors tomatically stopping; the action of the delivery means under the control of the fasteners in the conveyor.

Machines employing a flexible strip as a fastener holder commonly pass the strip over a support and into a space between the sup mole. by are Spccificationof Letters Patent. ifittenteflliiitl'. 28, 1.?)22- 1919. Serial No. 287,002.

, port and the conveying raceway in bringing mounting the support.

Still another feature concerns the correct presentation of the fasteners for engag ment by the delivery means. This I effect by means positioning the fastener upon the holder before the engagement of the delivery means therewith. There is shown for this purpose a roll beneath which the strip is advanced and with which the fasteners contact. 1 i

In the travel of the. fasteners along the conveyingraceway there is provided, as an additional feature, a member for acting upon them. to prevent their clogging. The raceway reriprocates beneath this member, which is held against movement in the direction in which the raceway travels but being movable into and out of contact with the fasteners in the raceway. By this means a combine; or distrilniting action is produced upon the fasteners upon the travel of the raceway in either direction to free them if they become caught. This is rendered more effective by making yieldable the surface of the member which bears upon the fasteners.

A further feature has to do a with the mechanism operating upon the fastenersto attach them to the work. This mechanism includes a member co-operating' with the raceway or other support upon which the series of fasteners is held awaiting attachv ment. To ,make the engagement of the member with the fasteners more certain, I provide it with a yieldable portion contactingwith the fastener-support. giving a capability for unfailing engagement with the fasteners without danger to the supporter attaching member. .Preferably. the member has a fastener-driving projection and a feedingprojection for contact with a fastener to be driven, the feeding projertion xbeing in the present instance illustrated as adapted to yield in contact with the support.

The following description and claims develop other features, illustration of the invention being made as to a particular form Fig. 1 and including the rewinding reel;-

.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of theupper end of the raceway and the associated stripsu pport;

- Fig. 4 shows in perspective the elements of thesupport separated fromoneanother;

Fig."5 is'a detail in sectional elevation through the support and co-operating deliverymeans;

Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate, in side elevation, different positions ofthe delivery claw and the operating and controlling mechanism therefor;

Fig. llfiis a sectional detail on the line 1.1-11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 shows, separated from. one another, "the operating elements of thedeliv- 'ery mechanism;

Fig. '13 is a central longitudinal section through the feed-roll Fig. 14shows, in top plan view, the stop devices at the lower end of the raceway;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of thefeeding and driving member; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail through'the plate contacting with the buttons in the raceway and its actuating mechanism.

, Near one extremity of a base 10 is mounted aninclined anvil 12, upon which is to be supported the work, for example the upper ofa shoe,to which fasteners, as buttons'and their staples or other securing devices, are

to be attached. Above the base, near its center, extends a hollow frameportion 14 having upon its upper edge inclined ways 16. In these ways is mounted-for reciprocation a raceway 18 for conveying the fasteners to the work. Extending longitudinally of the raceway is a central eyereceivin'g groove 20, at each side of which is a curved buttonsupporting surface 22, preferably conforming to the under side ofthe button-liead.

'Belowthe surfaces 22 at opposite sides of the groove 20 are staple-receiving grooves 24, see Figs. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings.

Carried at theupper extremity of the raceway is means 26 for supporting a fastener-holder 28 and delivering the fasteners therefrom to p the raceway. For this holder I prefer to employ a strip of flexible material, as paper, upon which are mounted buttons B, having eyes 7) extending through longitudinal slits in the strip, and staples S threaded through the eyes of the buttons and being inserted in transverse corrugations in the strip. These fasteners are distributed along the mounting strip in a series equally spaced. Such a holder as that of Elliott disclosed in United 32. Thisroll is 'rotatably mounted upon a spindle 84 projecting from one side of a lug situated at the edge of a plate36 attached near one edge of the top of the raceway.

The'periphery of the roll 32 is preferably curved longitudinally at 38 (F'gs. 1 and 12) to conform generally to the heads of the buttons passing'beneath it. This roll is'effec-.

tive both to properly present the strip tothe support and delivery mechanism 26, :regardless of the angle at which it is drawn from the mounting reel, and to seat thebuttons uniformlylin the slits of the strip 'by the pressure of the rollupon the heads. This last feature is of utility in arranging the buttons for presentation to a delivery member, to be hereinafter described, which, if the buttonshad become tilted'uponthe paper, might'strike and force them toward the strip, instead of, passing beneath to lift them therefrom. I One' side'42 of the strip-support (Fig. 4) is furnished by an extension of the side ofthe raceway, whiletheopposite side 44 and intermediate wall46 are formed'separably therefrom. These parts'preferably consist of segments of circlessubstantially 90 degrees in extent, the 'endsof the segments being defined by radii substantially 45 degrees from the horizontal. Such an arrangementi permits four of the supporting portions 44, 46 to be formed simultaneously in a complete circle by inexpensive" methods of manufacture and divided into quadrants,

leading to a considerable economy in construction. The circular'form also furnishes tween the separated edges of the flanges and along a slot 52 in the portion 46 of the support, whilethe strip passes beneath the flanges and is drawn into a space 54'between the inner edge of the portion 46 of the support and the upper extremity of'the raceway. As the holder-strip changes its direction inentering the space the points of the staples are forced into the grooves 24 in the raceway. thebuttons being receivedby the surfaces 22. To ensure the correct entry of the staples into the grooves 24, the forward extremity of the portion 46 may be raised at 49, as by cutting away the surface to' the rear. This prevents the staples from being so dragged down by the strip that their points strike the end of the raceway. The portions d4, 46 and as of the support are mounted to move laterally upon the wall 42 on projections 56 and 58 extending horizontally from the inner face of this wall and entering openings 60 and 62, respectively, in the separable section of the support. The projection 58 is longer than its companion, having at its outer extremity a reduced portion 64, the end of the body of the proj ection being threaded at 66 for engagement by a thumb-nut 68. This nut, when unscrewed. from the thread, is free to move r along the reduced portion 64:, being held with the thread 66, a shoulder 72 upon it contacts with the outer side of the separable supporting section, pressing it firmly against the wall 12 to hold the parts in operating relation.

To advance the holder-strip through the spacefi l for the delivery of the fasteners to the raceway, I have shown a feed-roll 7d rotatable about a tubular sleeve 7 6 (Fig. 13) 1 extending horizontally beneath the raceway from the wall 36. lVithin this sleeve is journaled a spindle 78, having fixed at its outer end a disk-ratchet 80, the teeth of this ratchet engaging a circular series of ratchet teeth 82 at the end of the roll 74. These teeth are yieldably forced into engagement by a spring 8% surrounding the spindle within a recess at the inner end of the sleeve 76 and contacting at its outer end with the hub of a pinion 86 secured to the spindle on the opposite side of the wall 36 from the feedroll. The means for driving this pinion and therefore the feed roll through the ratchet mechanism will be later described. To prevent reverse rotation of the roll, it has at its inner end ratchet teeth 88 contacting with a ratchet collar 90 surrounding the sleeve adjacent to the wall 36 and being held against rotation thereon while permitted to move longitudinally by a pin 92 parallel to the axis of the sleeve, and being fixed in it while engaging an opening in the collar. Springs 94 are seated in recesses in the collar. these bearing against an enlargement of the sleeve to force the collar toward the end of the roll and thus maintain engagement between the ratchets 88 and 90. The periphery of the feed-roll is preferably provided with projections to facilitate the feed of the strip, and against this surface bears a pressure roll 96 (Fig. 2) rotatable upon the upper end of a lever 98 fulcrumed at 100 on the plate 36. The pressure-roll may be drawn into cooperation with the feedroll by a spring 102, one extremity of which is fixed to the raceway. YVithin the convolutions of the spring is held a nut 104 engaged by a screw 106, this screw turning in an opening through a pin 108 swiveled upon the side of the lever 98. By turning the screw to vary the distance between the pin 108 and the nut 104, the tension of the spring 102 and consequently the pressure of the roll 96, against the feed-roll may be varied. When the end of the strip 28 is to be introduced into the space 54, the pressureroll may be temporarily secured out of engagement with the feed-roll by a latch-pin 110 mounted to slide through the plate 36 (Figs. 1 and 2). A spring 112 surrounding this pin at the opposite side of the plate from the roll holds the enlarged engaging portion of the latch normally out of contact with the lever 98 against the plate. If, however, this lever is swung to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, until its inner edge is beyond the latch-pin and the latter is projectedagainst the tension of its spring 112, the release of the lever 98 and the exertion of the tension of its spring 102 will maintain the lever and latch-pin in frictional engagement, with the pressure-roll temporarily locked out of cooperation with the feed-roll. After the introduction of the strip between the rolls, a slight movement of the lever 98 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) will permit the spring. of the latch-pin to restore it to its normal position out of the path of the lever, so that the pressure'roll will come into contact with the strip.

To render certain the delivery of fasteners from their holder-strips to the raceway, means is preferably provided for postively separating the end button and its staple from the strip and forcing them into the raceway. Secured to the outer side of the plate 36 is a cylindrical support 114. Between a peripheral flange 116 upon the support and the face of the plate are mounted for oscillation three members, furnishedby a carrier ring 118 contacting with the plate, an actuating ring 120 bearing against the outer face of the carrier ring, and a driving ring 122 which operates between the actuatingring and the flange 116. Projecting from the periphery of the car rier ring is a lug 124-. in which is rotatably mounted a spindle 126 carrying a claw or fastener-engaging member 128 parallel to the face of the ring. The engaging end of the claw has a central slot lilllaliiied vertically with the slot 24: in the raceway, this claw being; closely adjacent to the space 5-1; between the support and raceway. Normally the claw will occupy the pos tion shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, being raised from engagement with the buttons and staples upon the support. t is brought into position for contact therewith by the rotation of the spindle on the carrier ring. and. by the rotation of the carrier ring about the support, the claw is revolved to force the thG'bUttODS from the support and holderstrip upon the raceway and the staples into the-grooves 2'! therein. hen this transfer isbeing accomplished,the claw in its revolution'is introduced between the heads of the buttons andthe strip, the former resting upon the upper surface of the claw with their eyes in the slot 130, while the extremities of the claw at each side of the slot engage the staple yokes. This double movementof the claw is effected by a common mechanism which will now be described. At

'the'inner end of the spindle 126. in an enlargement thereof turning within the lug 12%. is a depression132 surrounding theaxis .ct the' spindle and extending eccentrically teriors of the rings 11S and 120.

thereto-to the outside of the enlargement, there being at the openlng through the side of said enlargement divergingwalls 1341,

134. Upon a lug 136 at the periphery ofthc actuating ring 120 is a horizontal pin or projection-138 entering the recess 132. In the peripheryofthis last-mentioned ring is a recess 1410' engaged by a detent 142 pivoted at 144 1117011 the edge of the driving ring 1 22. A spring 145, extending"between the detent and a pin 147 at the center of 18 support 114, holds the detent normally in engagement with the recess 14-0, conn'ielling the actuating ring to move with the driving ring when the latter is oscillated. To a lug 146 on the edge of the driving ring is concrank-disk 160. This disk is fast upon a shaft 162 rotated in any convenient manner from some suitable source of power, preferably through a single-rotation clutch (not illustrated). The edge of the support 114 is recessed to receive two friction devices 16 1., 166, the surfaces of the outer portions of which contact, respectively, with the in- Springs 168 seated in recesses in the support maintain the proper pressure of the friction members against the rings, this being sufiicient to offer a substantial resistance to the movement of the latter. Assuming the claw 128 to be in its initial'position, as shown in Fig. 1, the oscillation of the actuating disk 120 from the driving mechanism, transmitted through the disk 122 and connecting detent, first forces the pin 138 along the contacting wall ofthe depression 132 in the spindle126. the carrier ring 118 at this time being held against rotation by the friction member 161-. As a result of this,

' claw.

the spindle 126 is rotatedandthe delivery :la-w brought into position ready for .en-

.gagement with the buttons. and staples. A

continuedtravel of the actuating ring, the

spindle having reached its limit ofrotation, turns the carrier rlng so that the claw 1S driving mechanism nbw reverses the oscillation of the actuating ring, and during this movement the spindle 126 and the claw are first rotatedto raise the claw out of the path of the buttons and then revolved to restore it to its initial position. Thefriction member 104, it is to be noted, maintains a definite time relationbetween'the rotation and revolution of the claw, which {movements, in absence of this control, would be indeterminate in timing. To permit the claw in its movement to adapt itself to the surface of the'portion 46 and pass freely over the upward projections 49, it is preferably pivotedupona crank-portion 170 of the spindle 126. being limited in its movement by a pin 1'72 carried by the crank portion and passing through an opening of greater diameter in the claw. This arrangement also gives the claw a certain freedom to rise, if it by any chance contacts with the buttons. Attention has al ready been called-to the fact that the. seatingof the buttons in their slits upon the holder-strip by the-roll 32 brings them into proper relation for engagement by the de liveryclaw, so that the end of this claw in coming into its engaging positionwill not strike upon the top of'a button.

The interior of the carrier ring has formed upon it a gear segment 17%,this engaging an idler-pinion 176 rotatable in a :recess in the support and meshing withv the pinion 86 upon the spindle of the feed-roll :14. As the carrier ring is oscillated. a corresponding oscillation is imparted through thisggearing to the feed-roll to intermittently advance the holder-strip through the space 54:. Each of these step by step move ments of the strip brings a button and staple into position for positive delivery by the If for any reason the buttons gather in the raceway until they'reach its upper extremity at the space 5 1, theywould. upon continued feed, tend to overflow from the machine and to injure the delivery mechanism by contact 'ot the claw with the accumulated buttons.

-the button-supporting surfaces and directly above the'gr0ove-20. At the opposite end of the lever 180 from its contact-portion is a stop member 184 pivoted at 186 on the lever and limited in movement by .a pin-andslot connection 188, a tensionspring 190 connecting the stop member and lever. drawing the former to the left. as viewed in Figs. 6 to 10, or toward the driving ring. As the buttons are forced from the support by the delivery claw, they contact with the end 182, raising it to free the path. The stop member at this time is moved aside by an enlarged end 191 of the detent 142 (Fig. 7) and returned by the spring 190 (Fig. 8). If the raceway is free of accumulated buttons at this point, upon the return of the detent in the reverse stroke, the adjacent edge of the stop member is so far to one side that the detent is not withdrawn from the recess 140 in the carrier ring by its contact. This is as illustrated in Fig. 9. If, however, the end 182 rests upon a button in the raceway, the stop member is as appears in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Under such conditions, the end 191 of the detent is forced toward the driving ring by the stop member, and the opposite engaging end is re moved from the recess 140. thus disconnecting the driving and actuating rings. This stops both the feed-roll 74 and the delivery claw 128 in their action, giving the operator an opportunity to clear the raceway. The removal of the buttons from beneath the end of the lever 180 carries the stop member out of engagement with the detent, so that the latter re-enters the recess in the actuating ring. The friction device 166 during the disengagement of the detent from the recess, holds the freed actuating ring in position readyto receive the detent upon its release from the stop member.

To further guard against injury by con tact of the delivery mechanism with the buttons. the driving connections therefor may include a yieldable element. Herein I have shown the link 148 as tubular, it having an upper section 192 extending into the tubular portion and having at its lower end an enlargement 193 bearing normally agamst the bottom of the tubular portion A spring 194 contained in the tube .and surrounding the section 192 is interposed between the enlargement and a tension-adjusting collar 195 1 threaded into. the upper extremity of the tube. In the normal operation of the delivery mechanism, the spring 102 is of suf ficient strength to resist compression during the return stroke of the claw, but if the delivery elements contact abnormally with a button, the spring will yield and prevent breakage of the parts.

After the but-tons with their staples are delivered to the raceway, they are preferably acted upon in their downward travel .by a

' contact member to produce a movement of the buttons in opposite directions along the raceway as the latter reciprocates beneath the contact member. Pivoted at 196 upon the frame 14 beside the guide in which the raceway moves is a plate 198 extending above the raceway for a considerable portion of its length. Above that button-supporting surfaces this plate is provided with a pad 200 of yieldable material, as felt. In bores in the frame beneath the plate are springs 202 which force plungers 204 against the plate, holding it out of normal contact with the buttons. To allow the plate to be tilted back upon its pivot to give free access to the raceway, there is mounted to slide upon its upper surface a cover-plate 206 closing an opening 208, which cover-plate the springs 202 force against an adjusting screw 210 through the end of a lever 212. Sliding the cover-plate to one side of the opening 208 frees the space in the contact-plate to receive the end of the lever as the plate is swung up from the raceway. The lever 212 is of the bell-crank type, fulcrumed upon the frame and having one arm extending over the contact-plate and the other depending beside the frame. On this depending arm is an inward projection 214. The projection is forced by the springs 202, acting through the plate, against an actuating bar 216 operating through an opening in a guide-post 218 on the head 14, and having two depressions 220, 220 which the projections 214 may enter to permit the contact-plate to be raised by the springs 202 out of engagement with the buttons. On the edge of the bar 216 is formed a rack 222, and with this rack meshes asegmental gear 224 on the shaft 152. As the shaft 152 rocks, it reciprocates the actuating bar. and as this passes beneath the projection 214, the latter first rides out of the lower depression 220 upon the edge of the bar between the depressions, bringing the pad 200 against the heads of the buttons. The second depression then reaches the projection, allowing the. pad to be raised above the buttons, and then, upon the completion of the movement, contact is again established between the pad and buttons. This all occurs during movement of the raceway in one direction, so that the buttons are twice distributed along it by the relative travel between the pad andraceway. hen the shaft 152 rocks oppositely. the movement of the actuating bar is reversed, and a similar action upon the buttons takes place while the raceway is traveling in the opposite direction. This is highly ett'ective in preventing the buttons from sticking in the raceway. The normal separation between the pad 200 and the buttons may be varied by changing the position of the screw 210, and, to alter the length of the stroke imparted to the plate 198, the relation of the projection 214 to the depressions 220 may be altered by a screw 219 threaded through the ing projections 264:..264.

depending arm of the lever and contacting with the end of the post 218.

Near the lower end of the raceway the progress of the fasteners is arrested by a 'stop device, consisting of a finger 226 pivoted at 22 on the top of the raceway and forced by a spring 230 through an opening 232 in the wall of the groove 25%, so that it lies in the path of the staples moving therethrough. This device fixes the lowest staple in the series in the raceway in a feeding position. At the same side of the raceway below the'linger 226 is a stop device cat. which will hold the staples, after they have been carried beyond the feeding position, in an attaching position ready for delivery to the work. On the opposite side of the raceway are like devices 236 and 238. The former guards against upward displacement of the fasteners, when in the attaching position. under the influence of the reciprocation of the raceway, while the device 238 exercises a retarding effect upon the staple passing it,

to prevent said staple from falling away 25 from the attaching mechanism.

To advance the fasteners from the feeding to the attaching positions and to drive the staples into the work supported upon the anvil 12, a lever 240 is pivoted at 242 upon an actuating bell-crank lever 244 fulcrumed at 246 in the frame 14. The fulcrum pin 246 is shown as mounted in an eccentric opening within a sleeve E248 rotatable in the frame, the position of this sleeve angularly being fixed by an adjusting arm 250 fast upon the sleeve and moving over a graduated segment 252. The adjustment of the sleeve determines the position of the j driving lever, particularly with reference to 40 its advance toward the anvil. A spring 254 joining the levers 240 and 24 i draws a pin 256 projecting horizontally from the lever 240 against a cam surface at the edge of aguide-plate 258. The lever 2% is oscillated by a connection at 260 to the rod 158. At the upper side of the lower extremity of the lever 24:0 are spaced driving projections 262. 2262, while above these are feed- The latter projections' are preferably yieldably carried upon the lever 2%), being themselves a part of a lever 266 fulcrumed at in a slot in the upper edge of the main leven A pin 270 fixed to the primary lever plays in an opening .272 in the secondary lever. A spring 274 beneath the secondary lever forces it upwardly until the pin270 contacts with the bottom of this opening. The projections are so related that, when the pin 256. moves over an incline on the cam-plate, theprojections 264 are carried just behind the staple held in the feeding position by the stop device 226 and come into actual contact with the under surface o'f the raceway, yielding to prevent injury to the contacting parts. This insures the engagement and feed of the staple to the next or attaching position. Slmultaneously the projections 262 pass between this staple to be" fed and the succeeding orlast staple, in the attaching position held by the stop device 2531-, and carry this through the work against the anvil to attach its button. lVhen the movement of the bell-crank 244 is reversed, the feeding and driving lever 240 in its rearward movement strikes a controlling lever 276 fulcrumed upon the cam-plate, *ausingthe feeding and driving'lever to be lowered out of contact with the succeeding staples in the raceway to avoid their displacement. 7

After the feeding and driving lever has advanced a portion of the distance toward the anvil, or sufficiently to bring the lowest staple into position for setting, its actuatin'g lever 2% acts upon the raceway to move it in its guides into contact with the work upon the anvil, thereby exerting a clamping effect upon said work. To this end, the pin 242 extends into a segmental slot 278 in a lever 280 fulcrumed upon the pin 2&6 beside the lever 24A. The upper end of the lever 280 has formed upon it a gear-segment 282 engaging corresponding teeth in the under side of a member 284- yieldably mounted upon the raceway, as indicated at 286. Contact of the pin 242 with the lower extremity of the slot 278 swings the lever 280 in an anticlockwise direction (Fig. 2) to carry the end of the raceway'in advance of the driving lever against the work to hold it upon the anvil. lVhile the staple is thereafter being driven, the connection 286 yields, so the raceway is held against the work underspring tension.

in starting the operation of the machine, the leading end of the holder-strip 28 is drawn from its reel, and, withthe portions i4 and 46 of the strip-support moved to one side and the pressure-roll 96 latched back. is introduced through the slot and between the pressure-roll and feed-roll. The movable portion of the support is then restored to its normal position and. the pres sure-roll released. Upon starting the machine. the oscillation of the teed-roll draws the strip through the space 54,- separating against sticl-ring by the contact-plate 19S,

until the leading staple is stopped by the device 226. Assuming a pr vlous action of the machine to have taken place, thepro t jections onthe lever 24 0 willfnow be car.- ried between the lowest staple in the attaching position and the next staple in'the feeding position and between the latter and the succeeding staple oi the series in the race way, the feeding projections yielding in their contact with the raceway surface, and will effect the simultaneous driving and, feeding of the last two fasteners. It, by any chance, during the operation the buttons gather in the raceway to a point beneath the portion 182 of the controlling lever, both parts of the delivery machanism for feeding the strip and disengaging the fasteners therefrom are stopped until the ope ator corrects the condition. Atter the fasteners have been stripped from the holder 23 and the latter passes between the feeding and pressrrre-mlls, the end of the holder is carried to a reel 288 rotatable upon an arm 290 projecting 'tromthe rear of the frame. This reel is driven to rewind the empty strip by belt-gearing 292 from the shaft 162.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for operating upon tasteners and securing devices therefor mounted together upon a holder, operatingmechanism, and a member engaging both a tastoner and a securing device while these are in place upon the holder,toseparate them from said holder for delivery to the operating mechanism.

2. In a machine for attaching buttons by means of staples, attaching mechanism, a holder upon which buttons and staples assembled therewith are separately fixed in place, and a movable memberengaging the buttons and staples to remove them from the holder for delivery to the attaching mechanism.

3. In a machine for operating upon tasteners mounted upon 'a holder, operating mechanism, means arranged to move the holder to separate it from the fasteners, means engaging the fasteners to separate them from the holder, and means for moving the engaging means in contact with the fasteners to effect the separation.

at. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a flexible holder for the fasteners, means arranged to advance the holder and to change its direction of ad van'ce to separate it from the tasteners, and means acting upon the fasteners adjacent to the point of change of directiono'l the holder toseparate them from said holder. 7 5. In a machine for operating upon tasteners, a holder for the fasteners,operating mechanism, a fastener-conveyor connecting the holder and operating mechanism, means arranged to sepa ate thevholder and fasteners, and means for forcing the fasteners toward the conveyor.

' 6. In a machine. for. operating upon tasteners, a holder for the fasteners, a support for the holder, a fastener-conveyor spaced from the support, means arranged to ad v'ance the holder over the support aud between it and the conveyor, and means acting upon the fasteners where the holder enters between the support and conveyor for forcing the fasteners toward the conveyor.

7. In a machine tor operating upon tasteners and securing devices therefor mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, and a rotatable and revolublc member for engaging both the fasteners anc securing devices to separate them from the holder for delirery to the operating mechanism.

8. In a machine for operating upon fasteners mounted. upon a holder, operating mechanism, a member for engaging the tasteners and separating them from the holder for delivery to the operating mechanism, means for moving the holder past the operating member, means for rotating the member to move it into and out of engagement with the fasteners, and means for revolving the member to eitect the delivery 01" the fasteners.

9. In a machine or operating upon tasteners mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, and a rotatable and revoluble member for engaging the fasteners to separate them from the holder for delivery to the operating mechanism, the member being mounted to yield independently of its movement of rotation.

10. In a machine for operating upon tasteners mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, means for moving the hold-e an oscillato y carrier member, and a fastenerengaging member mounted to oscillate on the carrier member and operating to separate the fasteners from the moving holder for delivery to the ojerating mecha nism.

11. In a machine tor opera-ting upon his tenors mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, an oscillatory carrier member, a spindle journaled in the carrier member. an oscillatory actuating member adjacent to the ca rrier member, the spindle and actuating member having a co-operating projection and depressionarranged to oscillate the spindle. and a tastenei engaging member mounted on the spindle and acting to separate the fasteners from the holder tor delivery to the operating mechanism.

1 In a machine for operating upon 'l as teners mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, an oscillatory carrier member, a spindle ournaled in the carrier member and having at one extremity a depression eccentric to the axis, an oscillatory actuating member provided with a projection entering the depression, and a member mounted upon the spindle and engaging the fasteners in the holder,

13. In a machine for operating upon fasteners mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism, a bearing member, an oscillatory actuating ringand a carrier ring surrounding the bearing, a spindle journaled at one side of the carrier ring. there being a co-operating projection and depression upon the actuating ring and spindle, and a claw mounted upon the spindle and movable into contact with the fasteners on the holder toscparate them therefrom fordelivery to the operating mechanism.

14. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a member for delivering fasteners to the operating mechanism. said member being ar 'anged for a plurality of movements, driving mechanism, connections between the driving mechanism and delivery member so organized that the movements of the latter may be produced in indeterminate order, and means arranged to insure the movements of the delivery member in predetermined order.

15. In a machine for operating upon :fasteners, operating mechanism, a member which the delivery device is mounted to oscillate, an'actuating member co-operating with the delivery device to oscillate both it and the carrier member, and a friction device contacting with the carrier member.

17. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a device for delivering fasteners to the operating mechanism, an oscillatory carrier member on which the delivery device is 'journaled, an actuating member connected with the delivery device by a co-operating slot and projection, and a friction device acting upon the carrier member.

18. In a machine for operating upon fasteners mounted upon a holder, operating mechanism. a bearing member, an oscillatory actuating ring and a carrier ring surround .ing the bearing, a spindle journaled at one sid'eof the carrier ring, there being a cooperating projection and depression upon the driving ring and spindle, a retaining device mounted uponthe support for co-operation with the carrier ring, and a claw mounted upon the spindle and movable into contact with the fasteners on the holder to.

sepa ate them therefrom for delivery to the operating mechanism. 1

19. In a. machine for ope 'ating upon fasteners mounted upon a. holder, operating mechanism, a bearing member, an oscillatory actuating ring and a carrier ring surround- 20. In a machine for attaching. fasteners,

attaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon I which the fasteners are mounted, a raceway. delivering to the attaching mechanism; a. spindle journalednear the upper extremity of the raceway and being provided with a ratchet member, means for rotating the spindle, a ratchet member non-rotatably mounted opposite the-spindle ratchet member, and a strip-feeding roll surrounding the spindle and having near its opposite ends series of ratchet teeth withwhich the ratchet members respectively cooperate.

21. Ina machinefor attaching fasteners, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon which the fasteners are mounted, a raceway delivering to the attaching mechanism, a' sleeve fixed near the upper extremity of the raceway, a ratchet yieldable longitudinally of the sleeve but held against rotationthereon, a spindle journaled in the sleeve, a ratchet fast upon the spindle, a strip-feeding roll rotatable on the sleeve and having opposite series of ratchet teeth with which the sleeve and spindle ratchets co-operate, and means for rotating the spindle.

22111 a machine for attaching. fasteners,

' attaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon whichthe fasteners are mounted, a feedroll for advancing the strip for: the delivery of the fasteners to the attaching mechanism, a pressure-roll cooperating wlththe feed-roll,

a spring drawing the rolls toward oneanother, and means for latching the rolls apart against the tension of the spring, the latching engagement being maintained byv said tension. 7 p 7 V 23. In a machine for attaching fasteners. attaching mechanism, a flexible strip'upon which the fasteners are mounted, a feed-roll for advancing the strip" for the delivery of the fasteners to the attaching mechanism, a pressure-roll co-operating with the feed-roll, a spring drawing the rolls toward one an-' other, means for latching the rolls apart against the tension of the spring, and a spring arrangedto hold the latching-means normally out of co operationlwith the rolls.

24. In a machine forattaching fasteners fasteners and means fasteners to cause the delivery of said fasattaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon which the fasteners are mounted, a support, a feed-roll having a spindle journaled in the support and being provided with a pinion, a ring surrounding the support and having teeth engaging the pinion, and means for oscillating the ring.

25 In a machine forattaching fasteners, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon which the fasteners are mounted, a support,

a, feed-roll having a spindle journaled in the support and being provided with a pin ion, ratchet mechanism interposed between the feed-roll and spindle, a ring surrounding the support and having teeth engaging the pinion, and means for oscillating the ring.

26. In a machine for operating upon fast teners, operating mechanism, a fastenerholder, means for conveying the fasteners from the holder to the operating mechanism, means for delivering the fasteners from'the holder to the conveying means, and means dependent upon the condition of the fasteners in the conveying means for modifying the action of the delivery means.

27. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a fastenerholder, means for conveyingthe fasteners from the holder to the operating mechanism, means contacting with the fasteners for removing them from the holder to the conveying means, and means dependent upon the condition of the fasteners in the conveying means for controlling the action of the removing means.

28. vIn a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a fastenerholder, neans for conveying the fasteners from the holder to the operating mechanism, means for separating the holder from the fasteners to cause the delivery of said fasteners to the conveying means, and means dependent upon the condition of the fasteners in the conveying means for controlling the action of the delivery means.

291-In a machine for operating upon the teners, operating mechanism, a fastenerholder.

means for separating the holder from the contacting with the tenersto the conveying-means and automatic means controlling the action of the delivery means.

30. In a machine for operating upon fasteners. operating mechanism. a raceway leading thereto, means for delivering the fasteners to the raceway, and means operating under the influence of the fasteners in the raceway to stop the action of the delivery means.

31. Ina machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanisima raceway lead means for conveying the fasteners from the holder to the operating mechanism;

ing thereto, a movable member for advancing fasteners to the raceway, and means operating when the fasteners accumulate in the raceway to a predetermined point to stop the movement of the advancing means.

32. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, opcrating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, a movable member contacting with the fasteners to advance said fasteners to the raceway, and means operating when the fasteners accunnilate in the raceway to a predetermined point to stop the movement of the advancing means.

In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a fastenerholding strip, a raceway connecting the strip and operating mechanism, means for advancing said strip and separating it from the fasteners to cause their delivery to the raceway, and means under the influence of the fasteners in the raceway for stopping the advance of the strip.

' 34. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, movable means for delivering fasteners to the raceway, driving means therefor, connecting means between the driving means and delivery means, and means cooperating with the raceway for controlling the connecting means.

In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, movable means for delivering fasteners to the raceway, driving means therefor, connecting means between the dri ving means and delivery means, and means contacting with the fasteners in the raceway for disconnecting the connecting means.

36. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, movable means for delivering fasteners to the raceway, driving means therefor, movable connecting means between the driving means and delivery means, and means movable into the path of the connecting means for controlling its action. 7

37, In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway lead ing thereto, movable means for delivering fasteners to the raceway, an oscillatory chi"- ing member therefor, a detent carried by the driving member and engaging the delivery means, and a member movable by contact with the fasteners in the raceway into the path of. the detent for disconnecting it from the delivery means.

38. In a machine for operating upon teners, operating mechanism, a raceway lea d ing thereto, movable means for delivering fasteners to the raceway, an oscillatory driv ing member therefor, a detent pivoted upon the driving member and engaging the delivery means. and a lever fulcrnmed adjacent to the raceway to be moved by contact with a fastener in the upper por ion thereof,

said lever having a portion movable into contact with the detent to swing it out of engagement with the driving means.

' 39. In a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a holder for the buttons, a raceway for conveying the buttons to the attaching mechanism, means "for separating the holder and buttons for the delivery of the buttons to the raceway, and means'cooperating with the raceway for controlling said delivery means.

r 40. In a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a holder for the buttons, a raceway for conveying the buttons to the attaching mechanism, means engagingthe buttons for delivering them to the raceway, and means contacting with the buttons in the raceway for controlling the delivery means.

41. In a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip for holding buttons and assembled securing devices, a

raceway for conveying the buttons and securing devices to the attaching mechanism, means for advancing the strip to deliver the buttons and securing devices to the raceway, a-ndmeans contacting with the buttons at the upper portion of the raceway to control the button-delivery means.

42. In a machine for opera-ting upon fas- .teners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, fastener-delivery mechanism cooperating with the raceway, a support, adjacent members mounted toroscillationupon the support, one of said members being connected to the delivery mechanism, a'detent carried by another member for contact with that connected to the delivery mechanism to drive it, and driving mechanism joined to said other member.

43. In a machine for operating upon his teners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, fastener-delivery mechanism,co-operatingwith the raceway, a support, adjacent members mounted for oscillation upon the support, one of said members being connected to the delivery mechanism, a detent carried by another member for contact with that connected to the delivery mechanism to drive it, driving mechanism joined to said other member, and means controlled by the fasteners in the raceway to withdraw the detent from contact with the member.

44. Ina machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto. fastener-delivery mechanism co-operating with the raceway, a support, adj acent members mounted for oscillation upon the support, one of said members beingconnocted to the delivery mechanism, a detent carried by another member for contact with that connected to the delivery mechanism to drive it, driving mechanism oined to the Said other member, means controlled by the fasteners in the raceway to withdraw the detent from contact with the member, and means for retaining in position the member from which the detent is withdrawn.

45. In a machine'for operating uponfas teners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, anism co-operating with the raceway, a support, a carrier ring, an actuating ring and'a driving ring mounted to oscillate about the support, thecarrier ringbeing joined to the delivery mechanism, driving mechanism connected to the driving ring, a detent carried by said driving ring for engagement with the actuating ring, connections between the actuating ring andcarrier ring, and means co-operating with the raceway to control the engagement of the detent with the actuating ring.

46. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a raceway leading thereto, fastener-delivery mechanism co-operating with the raceway, a support, a carrier ring, an actuating ring and a dri-ving ring mounted to oscillate about the support, the carrier ring being joined to the delivery mechanism, driving mechanism connected to the driving ring, a detent carried by said driving ring for engagement with thev actuating ring, connections between the actuating ring and carrier ring, means cooperating with the raceway to control the engagement of the detent with the actuating ring, and a friction devicecarried by the support andcontacting with the actuating ring. V v 7 47. I11 a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip for holding buttons in a series, means for separating the strip andbuttons for the delivery of said buttons to the attaching mechanism, driving mechanism, and connections including a yieldable member between the driving mechanism and delivery means. 7

48. In a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip for holding buttons in a series, a movable member contacting with the buttons to remove them from the strip, driving mechanism, and connections including a yieldablemember between the driving mechanism and movable member. V

49. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upona flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto, a support spaced from the end of the raceway, and means for advancing thestrip over the support and through the space to deliver fastener-delivery mech-- the fasteners to the raceway. there being provision for changing the spacebetween the raceway and support to facilitate the introduction of the strip. 7

50.111 a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto, a support spaced from theend of the raceway, and means for advancing the strip over the support and. through the space to deliver the fasteners to the raceway, the support being movably mounted to facilitate the introduction of the strip into the space.

51. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto and having an extensionat one side of its receiving end, said extension being provided with a lateral projection, a stripsupport movably mounted upon the projection, and means for advancing the strip over the support.

52. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto and having an extension at one side of its receiving end, said extension being provided with a lateral projection, a stripsupport movably mounted upon the projection and being spaced from the raceway, and means for advancing the strip over the support and through the space between it and the raceway for the delivery of the fasteners to said raceway.

53. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, oper-' ating mechanism, a raceway" delivering thereto and having an extension at one side of its receiving end, said extension being provided with lateral projections, a stripsupport movably mounted on the projections, and means engaging one of the projections for separably retaining the support in co-operation with the raceway.

54. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto and having an extension at one side of its receiving end,'said extension being provided with lateral projections, a strip support movably mounted on the projections, and means engaging one of the projections for separably retaining the support in co-operation with the raceway and preventing-the displacement of said support from the projections.

.55; Inv a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto. means for advancing the strip for the delivery of the fasteners to the raceway, and a support spaced from the end of the raceway and over which the strip travels, said support having a projection for contact with the fasteners adjacent to the raceway.

56. In a machine for operating upon buttons and staples assembled upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto and having a portion to receive the staples, a support spaced from the end of the raceway and being provided with means to facilitate the introduction of the staples into the receiving portion of the raceway, and means for advancing the strip over the support and through the space to deliver the buttons and staples to the raceway.

57. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, oper ating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto, means for advancing the strip for the delivery of the fasteners to the raceway, and a support over which the strip travels adjacent to the end of the raceway, said support being of segmental form.

58. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto, means for advancing the strip for the delivery of the fasteners to the raceway, and a. support over which the strip travels adjacent to the end of the raceway, said support being of segmental form and extending through substantially 90 degrees.

59. In a fastener-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto, a traveling holder upon which the fasteners are mounted in a series, means ongaging the fasteners to deliver them from the holder to the raceway, and means for positioning the fasteners upon the holder before their engagement by the delivery means.

60. In a fastener-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto. a flexible strip for holding the fasteners in a series, means for advancing the strip, means for engaging the fasteners to deliver them from the strip to the raceway, and means contacting with the fasteners before their engagement by the delivery means for pressing them toward the strip.

61. In a fastener-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a. raceway delivering thereto, a flexible strip for holding the fasteners in a series, means for advancing the strip, means for engaging the fasteners to deliver them from the strip to the raceway, and a roll beneath which the strip advanced, said roll contacting with the fastener before its engagement by the delivery means.

62. In a button-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a raceway delivering thereto. a flexible strip having slits in which the button eyes are seated, means for advancing the strip, and a roll engaging the. heads of the buttons as they are advanced to the delivery means. said roll having its surface curved to conform generally to the button heads.

63. In a fastener-attaching machine. attaching mechanism, a reciprocatory raceway delivering the fasteners thereto, a member held against movement in the direction of travel of the raceway, and means for moving the member into and out of contact with 110 yieldable surface of the-member into and out of contact with the :l'asteners as the raceway travels beneath it.

65.111 a fastener-attaching machine. a frame, attaching mechanism carried. thereby, a raceway mounted for reciprocation upon the frame, a. member pivoted on the frame and extending above the raceway, springs holding the member normally out of contact with the fasteners in the raceway, and means for forcing the member into contact with the fasteners against the tension of the springs.

66. In a. fastener-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a reciprocatory raceway delivering the fasteners thereto. a member held against movement in the direction of travel of the raceway, means for moving the member into and out of contact with the fasteners as the raceway travels beneath it,.and means arranged to vary the normal relation of the member to the raceway. 7

67. In a fastener-attaclring machine, attaching mechanism, a reciproca-tory racoway delivering the fasteners thereto, a member held against movement in the direction of travel of the raceway, means for moving the member mto and out of contact. with the fasteners as the raceway travels beneath it, means arranged to vary the normal relation of the member to the raceway, and. means arranged to vary the extent of movement of the member.

68. In a fastener-attaching machine, attaching mechanism, a reciprocatory raceway delivering the fasteners thereto, a member held against movement in the direction of travel of the raceway, means for moving the member into and out of contact with the fasteners as the raceway travels beneath. it, and means arranged to vary the extent of movement of the member.

.69. In a fastener-attaching machine, aframe, attaching mechanism carried thereby, a raceway mounted for reciprocation upon the frame, an oscillatory member pivoted on the frame, extending above the raceway and being provided with an opening, a closure for the opening, and an actuating member cont-acting with the closure to move the contact member against the fasteners in the race-way.

70. In a fastener-attaching machine, a frame, attaching mechanism carried thereby, a raceway for fasteners reciprocating upon the frame, an oscillatory member pivoted on the frame, extending above the raceway and being provided with an opening, a closure for the opening, an actuating mem ber contacting with the-closure to move the contact member against the fasteners, and springs forcing the contact member away from the fastenersand againstthe actuating member.

71. In. a fastener-attaching machine, a frame, attaching mechanism carried thereby,

a raceway mounted for reciprocation uponf the frame, a member pivoted on. the frame and extending above the raceway, a lever pivoted upon the frame, extending over. the member and being provided with a projection, a reciprocatory actuating member contacting with the projection, and a spring forcing the member toward the lever and the tion arran ed to contact with and feed a,

fastener to be driven, the fastener-feeding portion being yieldable upon the member.

"E I. In a machine for attaching fasteners, a work-support, means for supporting a series of fasteners, and a member contacting with the fasteners to advance them toward the work-support, said member having a yieldable portion movable into contact with the fastener-support and being also arranged to advance fasteners toward the work-support.

75. In a machine for attaching fasteners, a wort-support, means for supporting a series of fasteners, and an oscillatory member having a yieldable projection, both the member and projection being arranged to enter between the fasteners and the projection being movable into contact with their support. 7 V

76. In a button-attaching machine, a race-. way arranged to hold buttons and associated staples, an anvil at one extremity of the race way, and a staple'clriver co-operating with the anvil and raceway and having a yield- 78. In a button-attaching machine, a raceway arranged to hold buttons and associated staples, an anvil at one extremity of the raceway, a staple-driving lever co-operating with the anvil and raceway, and a staplefeeding lever fulcrumed on the driving lever.

7 9. In a button-attaching machine, a raceway arranged to hold buttons and associated staples, an anvil at one extremity of the raceway, a staple-driving lever co-operating with the anvil and raceway, a staple-feeding lever fulcrumed on the driving lever, and a spring interposed between the levers.

In a machine for attaching fasteners, attaching mechanism, a flexible strip upon which the fasteners are mounted, means for delivering the fasteners from the strip to the attaching mechanism, power means for operating the delivery means, a rotatable winding member to receive the empty strip, and connections from the winding member to the power means.

81. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a holder for a series of fasteners, means for separating the holder and fasteners for the delivery of said fasteners to t-heoperating mechanism, driving mechanism, and connections including a link variable in length and included between the driving mechanism and delivery means. i

82. In a machine for operating upon fasteners carried upon a flexible strip, operating mechanism, means for advancing the strip for the separation of the fasteners for delivery to the operating mechanism, and a support over which the strip travels in preparation for the separation of the fasteners, said said support being of segmental form and extending between its extremities through substantially ninety degrees.

83. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a movable holder upon which the fasteners are mounted in a series, means engaging the fasteners to separate them from the holder for delivery to the operating mechanism, and means into (JO-()PGlfitlOIl with which the fasteners are moved by the holder for positioning the fasteners upon the holder before their en gagement by the delivery means.

84. In a machine for operating upon fasteners, operating mechanism, a movable holder upon which the fasteners are mounted in a series, means for moving the holder to deliver the fasteners to the operating mechanism, and means for positioning the fasteners upon the holder before their delivery.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT LATHAM. 

